The African Union (AU) has called on Zimbabwe's political parties to enter talks aimed at establishing a government of national unity, news agencies reported late Tuesday.
In a report from the AU summit being held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, Agence-France Presse quoted unnamed officials as saying that after two hours of debate, African heads of government had adopted a resolution encouraging Zimbabwe's leaders "to initiate dialogue with a view to promoting peace [and] stability."
In its report from the summit, Reuters interpreted the resolution as "a rare AU intervention in an internal political dispute and an unprecedented rebuff to [President Robert] Mugabe." But the agency said the resolution was not as strongly-worded as some nations had wanted.
Botswana reportedly wanted Mugabe banned from African Union and Southern African Development Community meetings. Vice President Mompati Merafhe said allowing him to take part gave "unqualified legitimacy to a process which cannot be considered legitimate."
Comments 1 to 5 of 10 Post a comment
Africa need not worry. In twenty-five (25) years China will be a dominant economic power. If Africans thought the Europeans were bad, just wait until the Asians are their colonial overlords (all of those mineral exports coupled with an inability to curtail HIV/AIDS). Africans will have no one to blame but themselves. Corruption (Nigeria), impunity (Mugabe), intertribal conflicts (Kenya), ongoing animist superstition,( Uganda) and an inability to govern themselves (Somalia) will perpetuate Africa's subordinate position in the world political economy. Welcome to the 21st century. You deserve your own enslavement.
can we try yo be a bit more positive, like trying to encourage the necessary attitude rather than highlight the failure of leaders.
Mugabe and company must not be allowed to take part in any summit because he is not an elected leader. All countries must not take a sof stance against this guy MUZINGIRIREI KANA AUYA NDOKUTI AONE KUTI YOU ARE SERIOUS
Mugabe and ZANU (PF) have won over AU. I have always condescended these hapless African leaders. Mugabe so despises Tsvangirai that he does not think Tsvangirai is worth of any office even at district level. So how do these leaders think Mugabe will appoint Tsvangirai to the lofty position of Prime Minister as Mwai Kibaki did to Raila Odinga. When it comes to politics, Kibaki is a saint and Mugabe is a devil. Mugabe likes to dominate and will not allow himself to share power with Tsvangirai. I think the individual members of the international community, AU and SADC should take individual actions on Zimbabwe. Those like Botswana, UK, USA, Nigeria etc that feel Mugabe and ZANU (PF) should not be allowed to get away with murder should impose punitive political, social and economic sanctions. Others like South Africa, Egypt, China, Russia etc that have no respect for democratic processes can cooperate with Mugabe and try to help his dictatorial regime overcome its problems. Tsvangirai and MDC should strategies and pursue what is best for them and I should clearly say Tsvangirai and MDC should think deep and wide. Politics of trade unionism such as boycotts etc do not work here. Tsvangrai and MDC were utterly wrong to boycott the run off. Tsvangirai and MDC should know that this is Africa. As for us the majority of Zimbabweans, we deserve what we have gotten from ZANU (PF). We are too proud of ourselves and spineless. We have let down SADC, AU, UN, MDC and Tsvangirai and even ZANU (PF) moderates. We are too sheepish. We think other Nations can help us without ourselves doing anything. We shall suffer a lot. Let's all turn to God and pray. We are like the biblical chiIdren of Israel who could not do anything without the help of God. Even one Philistine (Goliath a.k.a Mugabe)could intimidate the whole army of Israel (Zimbabwe). We pray for a David to arise from among us.
Rethink and rephrase your western theological mentality. Mugabe is no Goliath and Zimbabwe is not Israel. You demonize your own leaders trying to please the west shame on you all - especially Nelson Mandela, and that blood sucking vimper from Kenya Odinga. For you theologian what happened to historical-context in your criticism of Mugabe. Remember Lancster House.
See All Comments